The only real sound was the soft rhythm of
Argos hooves, as the mare ambled slowly down the road
heading down out of the mountains. It was twilight, and they
werent far from the crossroads leading into Amphipolis.
"Hey." she called over her shoulder.

"Didnt say you were." Xena
answered, with a hidden grin. "Were almost
there." She cast a glance at the bard. "And besides,
its OK if you fall asleep. At least you keep my back nice
and warm." She felt Gabrielle take and release a deep
breath, and resettle her head between her shoulder blades. Well,
it was nice and warm.

It had actually been a fairly nice couple of
days riding back, Xena mused. The weather had cooperated, and
once she got Gabrielle past that cliff.. A rueful grin crossed
her face. Gabrielle had taken one look down that wall, taken one
look at her, and nearly passed out. Forgot she hates heights.
And been given an immediate lecture on taking unnecessary risks,
which she had effectively silenced with a simple statement she
was really rather proud of. "If I hadnt, youd be
dead. Thats sufficient motivation for me." And the
bard had just stopped talking and given her that little
breathless look that she sometimes did. And a hug.

Now, with the fields of Amphipolis starting to
extend around them, she felt an rare sense of well being, which
allowed her to relax into Argos rocking walk, and brought a
grin to her face for no particular reason. She heard faint sounds
now, and played a game with herself in identifying them. Was that
a rabbit? Or one of her erstwhile students... Ah...no, that was
two footed, and sneaking along the field edge, keeping her in
sight. With a smile, she listened for the bird calls shed
taught them, and was not disappointed. The call that meant a
traveler, inbound. Another which told it was a friend. And
finally, the hunting hawks brash challenge that they had insisted
be assigned to her, causing her to sigh and roll her eyes.
Pursing her lips, she answered the call, and grinned as one of
the villagers popped into sight, carrying his staff, and waving.

Gabrielle peered interestedly over her
shoulder. "Wow... you have been teaching them." she
said, with surprised admiration in her voice. She smiled at the
villager as he trotted alongside, holding his staff with somewhat
awkward competence.

"Xena!" The man called out.
"Ive sent word ahead to the inn." He grinned up
at her. "I see your mission was a success."

Xenas eyebrow rose. "My what?"
she laughed. "Where do you think I went?"

"Oh." The man said, shrugging a bit.
"Cyrene said youd gone to help out a friend." He
grinned at Gabrielle. "I figured this was the friend."

"Hello." the bard replied, holding
out a hand. "Im Gabrielle."

"The storyteller." He answered,
delightedly. "thats grand!" And shook her hand,
though doing so with Argos steady gait was treacherous at
best.

Gabrielle laughed. "Yep. Thats me.
And I have a bunch of good ones to tell" She replied, with a
mischievous look at Xena.

Im dead. Xena resignedly sighed to
herself. Ill never hear the end of this. Shell
tell every damn story she has about me here and Ill have to
go into the woods with Ares and camp before shes done. "Im
going to regret this, arent I."she asked,
returning the bards look.

A devilish grin from her companion. "I
have no idea what you mean, Xena." All innocence and
blinking green eyes. "Im a bard, right? I tell
stories. I do it all the time." She grinned down at the
villager. ""Right?"

Xena nodded to herself, and half turned on
Argo, making eye contact with the bard. "Do me one small
favor?"

"Hmm.. maybe." Gabrielle answered,
chuckling. "What is it?"

"Try not to tell mother the gorier ones,
OK?" With a pleading look, not feigned.

The bards brow creased. "Xena, with
you, theyre all gory." She said, raising both hands in
apology. "But Ill try to tone the worst bits
down." She reassured her, giving the warrior a pat on the
shoulder. "Trust me."

"Oh boy." Xena said, facing forward
again, looking ahead to the now emerging lines of the inn, and
the movement around it. "Looks like a busy night." She
commented, nodding ahead.

"Has been." The villager commented,
hanging from Argos right stirrup. "Traders came
through today, so everyones in a good mood."

"Glad to hear it." Xena said,
quietly.

"Bet your mother will be glad to see you
back." Gabrielle said, into her ear.

Xena glanced back. "Shell be glad to
see you." Her face creased into a smile, unseen by the bard.
"She wanted to meet the newest member of her family."

Felt the bards arms suddenly convulse.
"What?" She choked, reaching up and grabbing
Xenas shoulder armor and pulling. "Run that by me
again?"

"Gods." Gabrielle giggled. "What
did you tell her?" Well, thats unexpected. I never
thought shed...Gods. Well, its her mother. What would
I tell mine? Ugh. Better not go there.

Xena shrugged, and gave her a little grin.
"Actually, I didnt have to tell her anything."
The warrior chuckled. "She just knew."

The bard mulled this over. That made more
sense. But she was glad... Families were so...weird.
She knew that lots of people looked at the two of them traveling
together, and wondered.. but no one would dare have the guts to
ask. Even Ephiny hadnt.. shed just fumbled all around
the subject. Except family. Theyd ask. And if Xenas
mother was fine with it, that made lots of things a lot easier.
She grinned. "Can I call her mom?"

"Why dont you ask her?" Xena
said, pulling Argo to a halt in front of the inn, and sliding off
the mares high back, turning in one fluid movement and
catching Gabrielle as she followed suit, breaking her slide and
letting her lightly down onto the hard packed dirt. They both
turned as the inn door opened, and Cyrene came bustling out, a
smile on her face.

"Well!" She called, "That
didnt take long." She crossed the inn yard, and hugged
first Xena, then Gabrielle with enthusiasm. "Welcome back,
Gabrielle." she smiled at the bard. "I bet youve
got a story to tell this time." With a knowing grin.
"And you..please!" She turned to Xena. "Go see
that puppy of yours.. hes going out of his mind looking for
you."

Xena shook her head at both of them.
"Im going to go stable and take care of Argo. Try not
to get in too much trouble, OK?" Now I have the two of
them together. I'm dead. Her brain assured her.
"Cmon Argo."

"Oh.." Gabrielle extricated herself
from Cyrenes encircling arm. "I gotta see this
puppy." She grinned. "I just gotta.. Ill be right
in."

Cyrene smirked, and watched the look of
resignation cross her daughters face, as she watched the
bard approach and grasp Argos bridle. I think Im
going to have a lot of fun the next couple of days. "All
right, but you two hurry up. I want to hear this story, and
Ill have some dinner waiting for you."

They walked to the barn, and Xena pushed the
door open, going first, and leading Argo into the building. She
hadnt more than cleared the threshold when she heard a
frantic scrambling noise, and her boot was attacked by a growling
Ares.

"Roo!" he protested, dancing in the
straw from forepaw to forepaw.

"Yeah, yeah.." Xena said. "Let
me get Argo in here."

Gabrielle squeezed past the mare, and stopped
short, biting her lip in a delighted grin on seeing the furry
face blinking back at her. "Ohh.. Xena... hes so
cute." She giggled. "Did you have to name him
Ares?" She crouched down, and studied the tiny animal, who
responded by sitting back on his haunches, and poking a tongue
out at her.

"Roo!" Ares growled, then sneezed.

Xena got Argo in a stall, and started stripping
her tack off.

"Xena." Gabrielle said, crossing her
arms, and looking up at the warrior.

"Yeah?" she said, glancing over.

"Hes waiting for you to say hello to
him." the bard replied, biting her lip again to keep from
laughing.

Xena sighed, and peered over the stall railing.
Sure enough, the puppy tilted his tiny head at her, with a sad
look. "Oh.. all right." She padded out of the stall,
and sat down cross legged on the straw. Ares bounded over to her,
and climbed up her booted legs, and scrambled up the front of her
leathers, tiny claws getting purchase on the irregular surface.

"Roo!" he growled in triumph, as she
leaned back, and he got up to her face, and started licking
enthusiastically. "Roo!" He pulled his head back, and
then went back to his tasting.

Xena peeked over at Gabrielle, who was sitting
with her arms clasped around her knees, one hand clamped firmly
over her mouth to keep the wild giggle shaking her body from
escaping. She felt the hot flush rising up her neck, and tried to
ignore it as Ares finally exhausted himself in licking, and
settled down on her chest. The puppy gave a little puppy sigh,
and gazed at her with adoring eyes. Xena let a smile cross her
face, and she stroked his fur, scratching him behind the ears,
hearing a rustling of straw as Gabrielle moved closer.

The bard settled herself at Xenas left
shoulder, and peered down at the puppy, then up at the
warriors face. "Hes adorable, Xena." She
said quietly.

"Yeah" she answered, rubbing a tiny
ear. "He is kind of cute, isn't he? Hes got this look
in his eyes that sort of reminds me of something." She
smiled, and glanced at Gabrielle, who was studying the animal.

"Oh." A sudden smile. "You mean
when he looks at you.?" the bard asked.

"Uh huh." Xena answered, putting out
a finger, and letting the puppy chew.

"Ive seen it before." Gabrielle
replied, putting out her own hand for the puppys
inspection.

"Where?" Xena asked, absently.

"Every time I look in a mirror." The
bard answered, and turned her head, and gazed directly into
Xenas eyes. "See?"

Xena studied her face, then shifted her gaze to
the puppy, then back. Her mouth quirked, and she realized she was
blushing badly. Oh... shes right...now I know why it
seemed kind of familiar....

I got her... Gabrielle chuckledto
herself. About time, too... shes gotten me way too often
in the past few days. "Hey... you look pretty cute when
you blush yourself." The bard remarked with a gentle teasing
grin. She glanced down as the puppy started licking her hand,
apparently approving of her. "I think he likes me." She
grinned, and looked back up.

Xena studied her face. "He has good
taste." she remarked, with a slow smile. Cmon.
Wed better get going before mother sends a search
party." She stood up, and handed the puppy to Gabrielle.
"Here. Introduce yourselves while I finish taking care of
Argo."

"Ooo.." the bard cooed, tickling the
delighted animal on the belly.

The warrior finished removing the mares
tack, and gave her a quick rubdown, checking the feedbin and
filling it with hay, and making sure there was water in the
bucket. "There you go, girl." She murmured, giving the
horse a last pat. "Now for my feedbag." she chuckled,
and left the stall, pausing as she spotted the bard, curled up in
the straw with the puppy, playing with him.

She had rolled him over on his back, and was
rubbing his stomach with her hand, as Ares growled and waved his
paws enthusiastically. Then he flipped over, and stumbled toward
her, pouncing on a strand of her fair hair and tugging. She
tickled him under the chin, and he released the hair, and grabbed
her finger, shaking his head in mock ferocity.

Gabrielle laughed in delight, and leaned down,
blowing in to the puppys ear, which caused him to rock back
on his haunches, and sneeze. Then he bounced forward, and started
licking her face, causing the bard to giggle.

So.. Xena mused ruefully to herself. Looks
like love at first sight. Now I dont feel so bad.
"Gabrielle." she said, with a grin. "Hungry?"

The bard looked up with a wide smile. "You
bet. OK, Ares.. Ill be back later." She promised the
puppy, rubbing noses with him and settling him back into the
straw. "Lets go." She added, standing up and
brushing herself off, then tugging on Xenas arm as they
walked out the door.

"Oh yeah" Xena mentioned, as
they got to the inn door. "Be careful of the ale." she
reached for the handle and pulled.

"Its not good?" Gabrielle
asked, startled. "I would have thought.."

"Its very good." Xena replied,
giving her a smile. "And its sweet, and light, and I
know youll love it. But three glasses nearly did me in when
I first got here. So like I said, be careful."

"Ooohhhh..." the bard drawled,
entering the inn at Xenas proffered hand gesture "Now
that, I would like to have seen."

Xena followed her in, acknowledging the calls
and greetings with a wave. "What, me drunk? No you
wouldnt." She put a hand on the bards back and
steered her towards the table where Cyrene and Toris were seated,
that had two empty places at it.

"Good." Xena muttered, taking the
seat against the wall, and giving Toris a nod.
"Evening."

Toris looked up and smiled. "Welcome
home." And turned his eyes. "Hello again, Gabrielle.
Glad you could make it."

Cyrene patted the bards arm. "Now,
you tell me exactly what happened, since I know I wont get
the whole story out of my daughter." She smiled at Xena, who
just shook her dark head and laughed. "She leaves out parts
she thinks I dont want to hear." Another glance at the
warrior, who spread her hands in acknowledgment.

Gabrielle pursed her lips, then turned her head
and made eye contact with her companion, who gave her a little
raised eyebrow shrug. That means, Oh go ahead,
Gabrielle. She took a small sip of the cold ale in front of
her Wow...I see what she meant...Mmmm... and started the
tale. Most of it was from her perspective, which let Xena off the
hook, but Cyrene realized that part of the story had happened
right here at the inn.

"Wait, dear...you mean that the two
Amazons that were here tried to kill each other?" She
exchanged a horrified glance with Toris.

"No." Xena spoke up, unexpectedly.
"Erika tried to shoot Ephiny in the forest, to make it look
like I was involved, and invalidate Gabrielles choice of
champions."

"You forgot to mention who was between
Erikas crossbow and Ephinys heart." Gabrielle
drawled, with a teasing grin.

"Does it matter?" Xena sighed.

"Xena!" the bard laughed. "I
have to tell the whole story, so knock it off. Of course it
matters." She resumed her tale, now speaking from
Ephinys perspective as shed heard the Amazon tell it.
Even Toris gave his sister a look of amazed respect. Xena sipped
on her ale with an enigmatic expression.

Dinner arrived, and Xena reached out an touched
Gabrielles arm, then looked over at Cyrene. "You need
to let her stop and eat." With an amused glance at the bard.

Gabrielle grinned back. "Im almost
done." She replied, but dug into her dinner anyway.

Cyrene filled in with some news of the trader
caravan that had come through in Xenas absence, and noted
that the rumors about the village seemed to be spreading quite
far. "It was nice, actually - some of the traders in the
caravan joined the train specifically to come here." She
gave Xena a warm smile.

They finished dinner, with Gabrielle taking
seconds of everything, and trying to ignore Xenas teasing
grin. Once theyd cleared the dishes, she continued the
story, holding even Xenas close attention as she described
the prelude to the battle at the Centaur Village, because the
warrior had not gotten a chance to hear this part.

"This Arella sounds very unpleasant."
Cyrene remarked. "Like a spoiled child that needs a good
thrashing." Not understanding the exchanged look between her
daughter and the bard, or the mutual chuckle.

"Yeah, I thought so too." Was
Gabrielles comment. "So, they went down to the Centaur
Village to retaliate for what they thought was an attack. A bunch
of us went after them."

"You." Xena interrupted, with a glint
in her eye. "Come on, Gabrielle, you gotta tell the whole
story." Ignoring the bards glare. "YOU went down
there to stop them."

Cyrene bit her lip to keep from laughing. They
were so cute together. She wondered if they had any idea just how
cute. Probably not.

"Fine." Gabrielle sighed
dramatically. "Fine... OK, I did." She shook her fair
head. "Anyway, I got down there, and just tried to keep
people from killing each other. Then I saw the children.."

"Centaur children?" Toris asked,
curious.

"Yeah." The bard answered. "And
Arella was headed towards them with a sword so...uh.." She
couldnt help it, a blush was creeping up her neck.
"Well, I had my staff, so I sort of stopped her." She
gave a shrug.

"That was very brave." Cyrene said,
quietly. Darting a glance at Xenas face, which was calm.

"It was very dumb." Gabrielle
laughed. "Because she picked up a staff and proceeded to
beat the tar out of me." She paused, and glanced down, and
felt, under the table, the gentle touch on her leg. And took a
breath. "And once she knocked me down, she decided she
wasnt in the mood to play around any more, so she got a
centaur crossbow, and there I was, kneeling in the mud, in front
of a little centaur boy."

Silence around the table. Cyrene and Toris were
staring at her, waiting for her to go on. Xena was watching them
watching her. And felt her heartbeat pick up, in remembrance of
topping that last grassy rise, and seeing the scene Gabrielle was
describing. Relived in her mind that sudden jolt of panic driven
energy that drove her forward into that last, desperate leap.

"No." Gabrielle answered with a sigh.
"She fired." A shrug, and the beginnings of a smile
crossed her face. "One second, there I was, watching her
finger pull the crossbow trigger, thinking a few last
thoughts." A pause, and she glanced up at them. "Next
second the arrow got pulled out from in front of my throat, and
there was Xena, catching the second one, and heading towards
Arella." Her eyes drifted to Xenas face, and noted
with a twinge of concern the tenseness she saw there. She slid a
hand out and lightly touched the warriors knee, watching
the blue eyes blink and turn to meet hers, and the taut lines
slowly relax. That was scary for me. What must it have been
likefor her, to see it happening? Knowing she was the
only thing in the world that could have stopped it? What would
have happened if she hadnt? A chill ran down the
bards spine.

"Whoa!" Toris breathed, glancing at
his sister. "Nice timing!" He backhanded her shoulder.
"How come you didnt teach us to do that trick?"

"Oh yeah." Gabrielle confirmed, with
a snort. Picking up her ale, and taking a swallow. "She most
certainly did."

"So then what?" Toris asked, draining
his own cup. "Was it still raining? Sounds like a
mess."

"Well, then the rest of the Amazons showed
up." Gabrielle replied. "And Xena finished with Arella,
so we got a chance to say hello to each other and then headed
back to the Amazon village." Not daring to look at
Xenas face. Knowing the mischievous sparkle shed see
in those blue eyes, that would send a deep blush up her face, and
blow her composure entirely. "And, yeah... it was still
raining." A pause. "I think."

Xena laughed, surprising Cyrene and Toris, who
didnt consider the story a funny one. "I was wondering
how you were going to end that." The warrior drawled, giving
Gabrielle a poke in the arm.

Gabrielle bared her teeth at her chuckling
companion. "Im going to have to hurt you." She
said in an undertone. Only making Xena laugh harder. "So
then I find out that Xena, here, got knifed in the back by an
ambush." Startling both of them. Cyrenes eyes widened.
They both glanced at Xena, who appeared none the worse for wear.

"It was just a scratch." The warrior
waved them off.

"Yeah, which I had to stitch up. But
whatever." Gabrielle grinned. "And then I find out she
got from here to the Amazon village in less than two days. Wanna
know how?" Her eyes danced, as she watched Xena roll her
eyes.

"Absolutely." Cyrene stated, eyes
glinting in amusement. She raised a finger at the serving girl
for dessert.

"Theres a cliff, about a day out off
the main road from here." The bard said, folding her hands
on the table, and smiling. "You know it?"

"Yeah." Toris said, hesitantly.
"Theres a river at the rock edge, and it goes pretty
much straight up ,and up, and breaks the range in two
pieces."

"She climbed it." A smirk at Xena.

Two pairs of eyes swiveled in her direction.
"You didnt." Cyrene whispered, shocked.
"Xena, do you know how many people have..." Died,
she thought, trying in their foolhardiness to climb that rock
face?

Xena leaned back in her chair, and summoned up
her very best bored warlord imitation. She took a long sip of ale
and gave them all a shrug. "Wasnt that bad." she
replied, casually. "And it was hardly raining." Another
sip. "And it with that, and the darkness, I couldnt
really see the bottom, so.. " They stared at her. "It
really wasnt that bad."

Dessert came, and distracted all of them. Toris
cleared his throat and started relating how the sparring sessions
were going to Xena. "Theyll be glad to see you back,
at least for a little while, though." He grinned at her.
"Im not really that much of a challenge any
more." He lowered his voice. "Youre going to hang
around for a few days, right?"

Xena paused, then nodded. "Yeah.
Were due back at the Amazons at the full moon, so
youre stuck with us until then." She gave him a smile.
"Not enough time to teach the arrows, Im afraid."

Toris nodded. "Im glad." He
lowered his voice further, though Cyrene and Gabrielle were fully
engaged in a conversation across the table. "Glad you got
there in time." He reached out and squeezed her hand,
catching her off guard. For a moment, he thought she was going to
brush him off, then her face relaxed into a grin, and she
returned the squeeze.

"Thanks." she responded.
"Listen, youd better take one of those cakes while you
have a chance." Now her voice was amused. "Trust
me." They both did so, and let the evening wind down,
talking about local subjects, then Cyrene coaxed another story
out of Gabrielle, what she called the whole story of
how Gabrielle came to hold the Amazon rite of caste. With an
apologetic grin in Xenas direction, the bard complied.

Finally, they stepped out of the warmth of the
inn into a chilly clear evening. "Brr." Gabrielle said,
wrapping her arms around her. "When did that happen?"
She chuckled. "I think Id better put a real shirt on
before I freeze."

"Mmm." Xena agreed, slipping an arm
around her shoulders. "Thought it felt like it was getting a
little colder when we were on the way in." She tilted her
head back and gazed up. "Makes the stars clearer,
somehow."

Gabrielle looked up, and they both stopped
walking and quietly studied the sparkling canopy
"Theyre beautiful" The bard said, softly,
watching Xena nod in agreement. Watching the starlight reflected
in her eyes. "Your mother said I could call her mom, by the
way." the bard grinned.

Xena glanced down at her, and returned the
smile. "Uh huh. I heard her." She reached up with her
free hand and tapped her ear, giving the bard a rueful look.
"Theyre pretty sharp."

"Oh." Gabrielle said, then giggled.
"I should know that by now, right?" She wrapped her arm
around the warrior and pulled. "Come on, before I
freeze."

The relative warmth of the barn was welcoming,
but Gabrielle changed into one of her longer shirts, still
chilled. "Your moms face when you insisted on staying
in the barn..." she chuckled, rubbing her arms.

Xena snorted. "Shes full up anyway,
and those rooms are too small. I get..." she glanced around.
"I dont know, it just bothers me." She carefully
tucked away her armor, trying to ignore Ares attempts at helping.
"Sorry for you, though - you must be used to a bed after a
month." she gave the bard a smile.

Gabrielle shrugged. "Nah." She leaned
against one of the centerposts in the barn, and watched as Xena
stood, lifting the puppy and carrying him over to where she was
standing. "oh... hes shivering!" The bard
exclaimed, touching the soft fur.

"So are you." Xena said, handing her
the animal. "Here." Waiting until the bard took the
puppy into her arms, then she pulled both of them close and
wrapped her long arms around Gabrielle, relishing the bards
immediate relaxation as their bodies made contact.

"Wow..." Gabrielle sighed happily.
"thats much better. How do you stay so warm, anyway?
Ive been meaning to ask you."

"Oh, I dont know." Xena
replied, with a half grin. "Hot blooded, I guess."
Turning into a full grin, as she glanced down into
Gabrielles eyes. I never really thought about
it."

Gabrielle chuckled, and snuggled closer.
"Oh really?" Then she glanced over Xenas
shoulder. "Speaking of not thinking about things, do you
have a stepladder handy? Cause I know you can jump high enough to
get up into that hayloft, but I sure cant."

"Ah." Xena commented, studying the
edge of the loft, which was at her own eye level. "You know,
I was having a talk with Ephiny about how I have to work pretty
hard to keep up my skills."

Gabrielle cocked her head and studied her
companions face. "Really?" And what brought up
that subject, I wonder?

"Yeah." Xena replied. "And it is
important. My life... " she brushed a lock of errant fair
hair out of the bards eyes. "Our lives sometimes
depend on it."

"Thats true." Gabrielle
answered, gazing at her. "Mine sure did a few days
ago."

"Mmm." Xena agreed. "But you
know, sometimes Im just glad I do it so I can occasionally
impress my friends." And released the bard, letting her
hands slide down and come to rest on her waist, then taking a
firm grasp, and lifting up. "Hang on to the puppy."
Taking a step forward, and raising the startled Gabrielle over
her head and onto the hayloft floor with not much apparent
effort. Stepping back and crossing her arms, giving her companion
a smug grin. "There you go."

"OK." Gabrielle put the puppy down in
the straw, and leaned forward. "Im impressed."
Laughing a little, and shaking her head. "You always impress
me, you know that."

Xena chuckled, then sprang up and grabbed the
loft support, pulling herself up next to the bard. "Stupid
warrior tricks." she remarked wryly, as Ares clawed his way
onto her leg, and attacked her hand. "Ouch." she
scowled at the puppy.

Muffling a giggle, Gabrielle rolled across the
wooden floor covered with a very thick carpet of soft hay, and
settled on top of the familiar black sleeping fur with her hands
behind her head. "Wow." She said, reaching up a finger
and tracing lines in the wood. "So this is a childhood haunt
of yours, huh?"

Xena joined her, cradling Ares on her chest.
"Yeah." she answered quietly. "Lyceus and I used
to hide out up here." She shrugged. "Do kid stuff, you
know."

Gabrielle smiled at her affectionately. "I
think my version of kid stuff is probably different than
yours." She rolled onto her side, and faced Xena, propping
up her head on her hand. "I bet you were a tomboy."

The warrior let out a surprised laugh. "Oh
yeah." She nodded. "What we actually talked about up
here were great battles, and how we were going to be fighters
when we grew up."

"I wish I could have met him." The
bard said, softly. "I wish it could have been
different." She slid a hand up Xenas nearby arm, and
squeezed. She remained silent for a long moment, then.
"Xena? Can I ask you something?"

Uh oh. When she asks me if she can ask me,
Im in trouble. "Always." Came the answer.
"you know that."

Gabrielle dropped her gaze to the furs, and
took a breath, choosing her words carefully. "Uhm. When we
talked.. about.. well, us. And Jessans parents the other
night?"

"Yeah." Xena drew out the word.
"I remember."

"You said Jessan thought... we were like
his parents." The bard continued, still not looking at her.

"I did." Xena responded, wincing.
Why didnt I tell her before now is the next question, Xena
- better come up with a damn good answer.

"Why didnt you tell me? Did you
think he was wrong?" Came the very quiet question. And now
Gabrielle looked up, and there was pain in her eyes. "Did
you want him to be?"

Xena felt it hit her like a hammer, felt her
body actually flinch. "No." She swallowed hard.
"No, I didnt think he was wrong." A pause.
"I knew he was right. I.. Ive felt it for a long time.
I just never knew what it was until he described it that night.
By the fire." Another pause to choose words. "I just
didnt know.. how youd feel about it." Silence.

Gabrielle studied her intently. "And here
Ive been worrying about how you felt about it. Were
quite a pair." And a tiny smile broke the seriousness of her
expression. "And for the record, I couldnt be
happier." She held up a hand as Xena drew breath to speak.
"Wait, I know... its dangerous. Its a rough
life. I should be at the Academy. I know. " A breath.
"I.. dont...want...that.." She rolled over on her
stomach. "I dont want a normal life. I dont want
to settle down in some nice town with some nice guy. I dont
want to live in Athens. I dont."

Xena just nodded a little, in acknowledgment.
"All right. I believe you."

"Uh huh." Xena confirmed. "Just
like that. After two years, I think you know what youre
getting into."

Gabrielle just looked at her with a smile.
"After two years, you still surprise me sometimes."

"Mmmm... wouldnt be good to be too
predictable." The warrior drawled, with an attempt at an
innocent look. It failed, but got a giggle from Gabrielle anyway.
"Oh... you think thats funny?" She lifted the
sleepy Ares off her chest, and settled him in the straw, and
hitched herself up on one elbow.

"Yeah." The bard chuckled, lifting
one hand and letting her fingertips trail down Xenas cheek.
Tracing the smile there. "You know, you should smile
more." she breathed. "It really looks good on
you." Felt a tingle go up her arm as the warrior turned her
head slightly, and kissed her palm. Closing her eyes as Xena
reached over and stroked the side of her face, then let her touch
drift down the side of her neck, tracing her jugular, which was
now pounding fast against the warrior's fingertips.

Then she was being lifted up, and settled into
Xenas arms and she got a much more intimate experience of
that smile. They spent a leisurely time at that, and in a slow
exploration of each other with tentative but increasingly
confident touches.

Gabrielle let instinct take over, and an innate
sense, which she realized, in a fuzzy sort of way, must be part
of whatever it was that linked them together, because there were
things she now just knew. And that was a good thing,
because there was no awkwardness between them, as both had sort
of expected, and it was very comfortable, and very intense, and
then got more so.

And then she was trying to catch her breath,
letting her body relax into a nice warm spot it was going to be
really hard to get out of. Even Xena was breathing hard, and her
heartbeat was up, as the bard could plainly hear under her left
ear. But even as she listened, it slowed, and resumed its
normal beat, long before her own did.

"You all right?" Came Xenas
gentle question, which the bard could hear as a vibration in her
ear as much as a sound in the air.

She nodded, not having the energy to speak, and
felt Xenas lips brush her head, and a chuckle move through
her, rippling the muscles under the bards hand. Smiling,
she let herself drift into sleep.

It was, as always, still dark when Xena
reluctantly let her eyes open. Sometimes, this before dawn
stuff is overrated. Her mind complained idly, as she gazed
down at the sleeping bard wrapped around her. But that
wasnt overrated... she felt a slow grin cross her face.
Damn, it had been a while... but it had been like wed been
doing this for.. years. Strange. Nice, though.

She could feel the gentle warmth of
Gabrielles breathing against her skin where her shirt was
half opened, and realized with a sense of bemusement. that her
own breathing was keeping the same rhythm. Lifted a hand to
stroke the fair hair cascading over her shoulder. And was
surprised when the green eyes blinked dreamily open and glanced
up to meet hers.

"Hey." Gabrielle mumbled.
"Its dark."

"Its before dawn." Xena
answered, chuckling.

"Ugh." the bard responded. "You
do this every day, dont you."

"Uh huh." her companion replied.
"Almost."

"My respect for you just jumped three
notches." Gabrielle admitted, then peeked over Xenas
chest, and spotted Ares sound asleep sprawled across her left
shoulder. "Awww.." The puppy responded by opening his
eyes, and yawning, stretching his tiny front paws out, then
resettling himself with a satisfied sigh. "So." A look
"Whats on your usual agenda at this disgusting
hour?"

"Mmm...hunting, early in the
morning." Xena replied. "Just anything that needs doing
around here after that, then drills after lunch. "

"I see." Gabrielle chewed on this for
a moment. "Hunting for anything in particular?"

Xena considered. "Well, at first,
moms larder was so bare, I had to get whatever I could -
she was serving for lunch what I caught before breakfast."
she chuckled. "First day I brought home a big buck. Should
have seen her face." A pause. "Then, it became more
habit than anything. Theyre nice woods.. its home..
" she shrugged. "I like being out there."

"Mmm." the bard mused, "Well,
what I think is, you healing from a knife wound and all, you
shouldnt go out on a nasty, wet, cold morning like
this."

"Ah ah ah..." Gabrielle lazily lifted
a hand and wagged a finger at her. "No sense in taking any
chances." She smiled up at her sweetly. "Come on,
Xena...how often do I get a chance to convince you to sleep
in?" She paused. "Hmm?" Using her right hand, she
gently rubbed the warriors half exposed belly, much as she
would have the puppys.

"Uh huh." Gabrielle grinned in happy
triumph. "Now close your eyes." She kept up her light
massage, charmed to see the warriors eyes shut, and her
body relax.

Oh well. Xena thought, as she drifted
off. Shes right, she doesnt do it often, and it is
cold outside, and that damn knife wound does still ache, though
Id better not tell her that.

Gabrielle waited until Xenas breathing
had deepened before she put her head back down and let the steady
heartbeat lull her back to sleep.

Xena just sighed, as she took some sarcastic
kidding from Toris the next morning for sleeping late.
"Toris, drop it." She finally said, glancing across the
table at him, with one of her more no nonsense looks.

"Aw, cmon, sis..." Toris
laughed. "Too much ale last night?" He started, and
glanced up as a touch fell on his shoulder. "Oh, hi
Gabrielle."

"Hi." The bard said, leaning on him.
"Can I see you outside for a minute?" With a sweet
smile.

Gabrielle leaned forward, and pinned him with
her eyes, despite their difference in height. "You
dont know her at all. " She said, letting a bit of
anger show. "Let me tell you something. Most of the time she
pushes herself so hard, it would kill just about anyone else
Ive ever known. Most of the time were out there in a
world where we have to fight just about every day and that never
stops. Never. Most of the time shes so hair triggered that
even I have to be careful not to walk up behind her without
warning." She stepped closer. "So if I take the
opportunity to get her to relax for a couple of days, do me a
favor?" She poked him in the chest. "Dont give
her a hard time, OK? Because I dont get this chance very
often."

Toris blinked at her. Im sorry,
Gabrielle." he finally said. "Shes just so... I
dont know... she always seems so.. invincible... like
nothing ever hurts her. " He shrugged. "I know...
shes my sister, and so shes just as much flesh and
blood as I am, but it never seems that way."

The bard took a deep breath. "I know.
Believe me, I know." A pause. "She does more things
with sheer will than most people could do with the strength of
the gods. But she bleeds, Toris... and gets hurt about as often
as anyone. And that same will makes it almost impossible for me
to get her to slow down and take it easy for a while, out there.
So, here, at home... Im going to try. Dont mess me
up."

"Good." Gabrielle grinned. "And
you can say thank you, because I can tell you that you were about
to be picked up and tossed across the tavern in there."

"Aw, come on." Toris objected.
"She wouldnt..."

Gabrielle raised her eyebrow at him in silence.

"Oh." he finished weakly.
"Um...thanks."

They walked back inside, where Gabrielle
immediately claimed a plate and a seat next to Xena and dug
enthusiastically into breakfast.

Xena took a look at her brothers face,
then at the bards, and ducked her head, chuckling.
"So." She commented to Gabrielle. "This more to
your liking?" Indicating the breakfast.

The bard nodded. "Uh huh" she
mumbled, around a mouthful. Hastily she swallowed. "Take me
on a tour after?" She gave Xena an innocent look.
"Didnt get a proper one, last time we were here."

"A tour." Xena repeated, glancing at
her. "Sure."

The leisurely tour turned into a walk in the
forest, where the bard insisted she be shown the area where all
the action had taken place when Ephiny was there. So Xena did,
and also showed her the spring, and a rock that was great for
drying off on. So naturally, Gabrielle insisted on trying it, so
they spent the morning swimming and sunning, by which time Xena
had picked up on the general plan. Should I let her get away
with this? She mused, sprawled on the rock with a cool breeze
counteracting the warmth of the sun, and tangling her dark hair
and Gabrielles red gold where the bards head rested
on her shoulder. Yeah... why not? A few days peace and quiet
couldnt hurt either of us.

So the next morning, she didnt even stir
at dawn, just wrapped her arms more securely around Gabrielle,
and let the sun shining into the glazed window wake them both up.
And other than the drilling after lunch, and their fair share of
chores around the inn, gave the bard free rein to plan the day.
And found she was enjoying herself very much, and was quietly
relieved to see a months accumulation of strain ease from
her companions face, and her bubbly good nature reassert
itself with solid conviction.

On the fourth morning after theyd
arrived, Xena had woken early, too full of energy to stay asleep,
and had left the equally wakeful bard to dress while she padded
up to the inn, hearing unmistakable early morning sounds from the
kitchen. She pushed the door open, and poked her dark head in,
spotting Cyrene struggling with a cast iron pot of water.
"Mother." She chided, and reaching over Cyrenes
shoulder, grabbed the handle and lifted it out of the older
womans hands, swinging it over her head, and onto the
firepit.

Cyrene gave her an affectionate hug. "You
have the knack of being in the right place at the right
time." she chuckled. "And dont think I dont
appreciate that."

Xena raised an eyebrow, but smiled. "I do
my best."

"And thats generally quite, quite
good." Her mother acknowledged, tilting her head to regard
her daughter. "Got some sun, did you?" A quirk of a
grin. " Looks good." She let her face go serious.
"By the way, Ive been meaning to tell you.. I love
having both of you here." Reaching out a hand and gently
grasping Xenas arm. "I really like your Gabrielle. You
know, she comes in here and entertains us all with stories in the
afternoon."

"Im glad." Xena smiled.
"Shes a good storyteller." Hope shes
been toning down the stories though... "And she collects
quite a few stories."

Cyrene turned and picked up a sweet roll from a
tray, and offered it. "Here." Took one for herself, and
they munched in silence for a short time. "Those stories are
true, arent they." She asked, looking directly into
her daughters blue eyes. "The ones she tells.. about
you."

Xena leaned against the post, and took a deep
breath. "Well...yeah." She gave her mother a little
shrug. "Most of them, though I think she tends to emphasize
the..." An amused look. "most dramatic parts." Whats
she been telling them, I wonder?

Cyrene turned, and began tossing things into
the pot of water, hiding a smile. "Well, dear...I had to
think of you as a warlord, for a long time. Then, I got to think
of you as just my daughter." She turned and backhanded her
lightly on the stomach. "Now I get to think of you as a
hero. Its a bit disconcerting. You see?"

"Oh." Xena blushed.
"Well...its been a tough sell for me, too." she
admitted, with a rueful grin. "And I know Im not
nearly as heroic as Gabrielle tells it. "

"Wrong." The bard interrupted
cheerfully, draping a casual arm over Xenas shoulder.
"I hold back. No one would believe it otherwise." She
was wearing a sleeveless white tunic, and the contrast between
it, and her newly sun bronzed skin was striking.
"Really." she insisted, giving Xena a wicked grin.

Xena snorted, then as the bard started to
elaborate, reached behind her, grabbing a sweet roll, and stuffed
it in Gabrielles mouth. "There. That should keep you
quiet for a minute."

"Hey." The bard managed to get out,
around a mouthful of roll. She chewed for a minute, then
swallowed. "Ill get you for that." She promised a
smirking Xena. "Hi Mom... great rolls." Directed at
Cyrene, who glanced warmly at her.

The older woman smiled at them, shaking her
head. "You two...." Are obviously made for each
other. Her mind finished silently. What a lovely girl this
bard is...and the expression in her eyes when she looks at my
daughter... Id almost forgotten what love looks like. Now I
remember... seeing that.

Xena pushed off from the wall support, and
shook her head. "Im going to see what I can find for
dinner. " She ruffled Gabrielles hair. "Try not
to cause too much trouble, OK?"

"ME???" The bard snorted. "Like
I EVER cause trouble. Unlike some OTHER people I could think
of...like Mmffph." she sighed melodramatically as Xena
popped another roll into her mouth, and then disappeared. And
then glanced at Cyrene, who was trying not to burst out laughing.
"See what I have to put up with?" A glance in the
direction the warrior had taken, then back at Cyrene.

"Do you like hunting?" Cyrene asked,
curiously.

"Uhm." Gabrielle hesitated.
"Well, no. I dont have the heart to kill things..
especially when theyre cute. Like rabbits." She
grinned. "On the other hand, I do like to eat, as you am
sure have noticed, so Xena is very kind to me.. she does the
hunting, and field dresses what she gets before she brings it
back." She finished her roll, and carried the stack of
ingredients Cyrene had been working with over to the table for
her. "So I dont have to see the eyes and things."

Cyrene chuckled. "Oh. I see." She
began sorting the ingredients. "Thank you, by the way."
Started putting them in the now steaming water.
Gabrielle..."

"Mmm?" The bard replied, stepping
closer, and cocking her fair head at the older woman.
Whats wrong?" Knowing something was, reading the
womans body language almost as easily as her daughters.

"We had heard.. a while back. A
rumor." Cyrene concentrated on her ingredients, not looking
at Gabrielle. "False, as I know.. but wed heard she
died." Now she looked up at the bard, to gauge the
expression in her eyes. And was shocked at what she found.
"Im sorry...did I upset you? I only wondered what
would cause that kind of...Gabrielle?" She reached out and
grasped the younger womans shoulders.

Taking shuddering breath. "No... Im
OK." she managed, giving Cyrene what she hoped was a
reassuring smile. "That just caught me off guard." Boy,
did it. I forgot how stories can fly around the countryside. Why
didnt I think that particular one would have made it here,
of all places?

"Here." Cyrene ordered, steering her
to a chair. "Youre white as a sheet. Sit down." Gods..
it must be true. "Now, tell me." She said, patting
the bards hand.

And Gabrielle did, speaking quietly, and trying
to remove herself from the emotions of the story. Except when she
got to the cabin in the mountains, and Nicklio, her breath came
tight in her chest, and she had to stop. "Give me a
minute." she swallowed. "I have nightmares about this
part."

"No... you dont have to go on."
Cyrene whispered, aghast. "Gabrielle, please. I can see this
is hurting you. Stop."

"You have a right to know." the bard
said, with a grim smile. "Shes your daughter."
And she continued, down the mountain, and meeting Iolaus, and the
Amazons. Then Autolycus, and the sudden, unlooked for rebirth of
hope, and now it became easier to tell.

"Wait... how did she do that?" Cyrene
asked, bewildered. "Is that possible?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "She found a
way." And told the rest, of Velasca, and the ambrosia, and,
at last, the moment when she came back. Youre the
first person who Ive actually told that story to." She
finished, quietly. "Its just too hard." She
paused. "Too personal."

"Oh Gabrielle." Cyrene murmured,
clasping her hand. "Im sorry."

"So was I" the bard smiled briefly.
"It was the worst thing that ever happened to me." She
took a breath, and glanced up, settling her shoulders. "But
its in the past." She gave Cyrene a compassionate
look. "Im sorry you had to hear the way you did.. I
forget, sometimes, just how far and how fast stories travel about
her."

They heard footsteps outside the door, and
Gabrielle half rose, recognizing that distinctive tread. The door
swung open and Xena powered her way through the opening, turning
to slide a small deer off her shoulders and onto the table, then
cross over to her, and press her back down.

"Im OK." the bard responded,
laying a hand on her companions shoulder. "Your mom
just asked me about a rumor they heard around here a few months
ago." The quiver at the corner of her mouth told Xena
exactly which rumor.

Xena looked over at her mother. "She told
you." Not a question. Cyrenes nod confirmed it.
"Sorry about that. I should have sent word."

"Its all right." Cyrene
replied, "I.. I really didnt think it was true."
she glanced over at the deer on the table, then at the two of
them. "Im going to get my butchering knives."
Stood and left the room, knowing the knives were right where they
usually were, in the knife box. On the table. Knew Xena knew that
too.

The warrior let a hint of a smile cross her
face, then turned to Gabrielle. "You OK?" Very softly.
Chafing the bards cold hands. Feeling the sense of
responsibility for causing this pain settle squarely on her
shoulders. Glad theyre broad. Cause Im never going
to get rid of this particular piece of guilt.

"Yeah, Im OK." The bard smiled.
"Really... she just caught me by surprise.. I dont
know why I just went off like that." She rubbed her temples.
"I mean, I can usually talk about it fine.. I hate the
nightmares, but its not like I go into a panic about
it..."

Xena stood, and moved around to the back of the
chair, reaching over and massaging the tension out of
Gabrielles suddenly aching neck. "Stress hits you
right there, doesnt it." The warrior remarked. "I
noticed that. You get this great big knot back here." She
glanced over to the larder. "Have you had anything but those
sweet rolls?" The bard shook her head. "Hang on."
Xena walked over, and took off a corner of fresh bread, and a
large slice of cheese, and handed it to her companion. "Eat.
Sweets on an empty stomach do strange things sometimes."

The bard ate in silence, stealing glances at
Xena, who had retrieved the butchering knives from the tool box
and set to work on the deer, skinning it and removing the organs,
which she discarded. "You know, I feel a lot better
now." She remarked, dusting off her hands. "You were
right. As usual." Catching the wry grin directed at her over
one blue linen clad shoulder.

Cyrene stuck her head back in, and bustled
through the door when she spotted Xena cleaning her kill.
"Ah, there they are." she said, ignoring the knowing
grin from her daughter. "Give me those." She bumped
Xena out of the way, or tried to, and bounced off. "Gods,
youre solid." she laughed, reaching for the knives.
"Come on, give. "

Cyrene nodded, and put her hand on Xenas
arm. "Im glad youre OK." Just as softly.
"Go take her for a walk or something. Well talk
later."

Xena nodded, and turned to the bard.
"Swim?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. My turn to
play this game, I guess. "Worked up a sweat chasing that
deer down." Saw by the quirky grin on Gabrielles face
that she wasnt fooling her, and returned the grin.
"Yeah, yeah... come on anyway."

"You dont have to ask me
twice." Gabrielle grinned, and sauntered over, poking her
ribs and sliding out the door first.

They walked up to the spring and sat down on
one of the rocks, side by side. Xena glanced at the bard.
"You sure youre OK?" she asked.

Gabrielle looked up, and studied her face.
"Why did you just give up?" The question shed
been wanting to ask ever since. Needing to ask.

I cant lie about this.
"Gabrielle I was.. not in the present... when I was feverish
from the head wound. I was reliving a very bad period in my
past.. the one thing that, more than anything else, made me what
I am. Was. I hope Im not still that person." Staring
down at the water. "And... Nicklios was the one who healed
me, that time. And his healing me let me become.. who I am. And
my being there caused the death of someone who was an innocent,
whom I cared for a lot." A long pause. "And I
thought... in my fever, that if he let me die, then...a whole lot
of things wouldnt happen. Like Cirra. And everything that
caused."

"Oh. Gabrielles almost
inaudible answer. "We would never have met, then." The
strain in her voice was very evident.

"No." Xena answered. "And I
wasnt convinced that wouldnt have been better for
you. Youd be safe at home, Perdicus would still be alive..
anyway." A long pause. "I didnt realize... until
after, that I wasnt that person. I was who I am now.. and
by then, it was too late. " The warrior continued, a touch
of hoarseness entering her own voice.

"Then how..." the bard cleared her
throat and started again. "How did...why...?"

Xena finally raised her head, and met the mist
green gaze across from her. "My friend that died,
Mlila.. she came to me, where I was...and told me it
wasnt my time..." a faint smile crossed her lips.
"She told me to listen to the thoughts of the living."
Now the smile became more definite. "And so I did... and do
you know whose thoughts I heard?"

"Mine?" Came the whispered answer.

Xena nodded. "Yours." And reached out
a hand to stroke the bards cheek. "Right until then I
hadnt realized...well, anyway, I had to find a way. I
couldnt leave you... not in that much pain... Gabrielle, I
couldnt." she gave a little shrug. "So I found a
way."

"You did." The bard laid her head
against Xenas warm shoulder. "And every morning, when
I wake up and see you there, I say thank you." She closed
her eyes. "Because I dont think I realized until right
then either...and it was about the worst moment of my life."
She let her eyes open, and stared off across the water.

Xena saw the haunted look. Damn... now what
can I say to her thatll knock that out of there... she
paused, a thought occurring to her. Well... I can try that
one...I dont think Ive tried that one yet.Would
that be a plan A, or a plan B. Oh, definitely a plan B. She
bent her head, and looked at Gabrielle, waiting for the bard to
sense her gaze, and look back. Which she did, an expression of
gentle inquiry crossing her face.

"What?" Gabrielle asked.

"I love you." The warrior answered.
And watched a fierce answering glow jump into the bards
intense eyes. Oh.. wow... I think that hit the target.

The bards answer was a smothering hug,
coming at her with such momentum that Xena was knocked off her
usually flawless balance, and was unable to prevent them both
from tumbling off the rock and into the rippling cold water of
the spring.

So tangled up, that it took all of Xenas
considerable strength to push up from the bottom, and get both
their heads up and through the surface, where she coughed the
water out of her lungs, and managed to hang on to the bard at the
same time. "Damn, Gabrielle." She finally wheezed,
having tread water to a point where she could stand up, and
support the still coughing bard. "Next time, remind me not
to do that near any water."

"Gods." Gabrielle gasped.
"Sorry." She burst into laughter. "No Im
not." She coughed a few more times, then blew out a breath.
"Wow." And looked up at Xena, who was watching her with
a tolerantly amused grin, and cradling her like a baby in water
that was up to the warriors shoulders. "I love you
too." She paused, as they regarded each other. "Just in
case you hadnt had a clue about that yet." Both
smiled. Gabrielle slid her arms up around Xenas neck, and
pulled her head down for a kiss, and when they broke off, she
regarded the warrior with a suspicious look.

"Hot blooded or no, I want you to explain
to me how you still manage to be toasty warm standing in the
middle of an ice cold spring." She put her cheek against
Xenas arm. "Because you are."

The warrior chuckled. "Maybe its the
company Im keeping." she drawled. "Come on,
lets get this stuff out to dry."

They spread out their tunics to dry, and spent
the balance of the morning swimming, then sunning next to their
tunics on the nicely warmed rock.

"Hey... I think Im going to join you
guys for that afternoon sparring." Gabrielle commented from
her comfortably relaxed position using the warrior as a pillow.

"Sure." Xena replied, opening one
eye, and regarding her. "Anytime.. you know youre
welcome to." She yawned. "Itll be a pleasure to
have someone good to spar against for a change." She paused,
and opened the other eye. "You getting bored of telling my
mother stories." Hopefully.

Gabrielle snorted, and smacked the
warriors thigh. "Ouch. I have to remember not to do
that." she commented. "No... I just dont want
your moms cooking catching up with me. "

"Mmm." Xena agreed. "See your
point. Though...itll make up for a month with the
Amazons." she gave Gabrielle a sly grin. "I dont
remember being able to count your ribs before I dropped you off
there." she reached over and ran her fingertips up the
bards ribcage, causing the younger woman to giggle.
"Anyway, it wont hurt you, so enjoy it while you can.
We barely keep even when were out on the road."

"Good point." Gabrielle mused.
"And I do enjoy it." She craned her neck around and
gave Xena a look. "And so do you."

"Uh huh." Xena gave her a lazy grin.
"You about ready to go back? I think our stuffs
dry."

So they did, separating when they reached the
inn. Xena retrieved her hand ax, and started methodically
preparing firewood, and Gabrielle went in search of Cyrene, to
see if she could relieve the older woman from whatever task she
was at.

"Hi mom." the bard said, as she
entered the storage area, and plucked the large bag Cyrene was
hauling from her hands.

"Oh!" Cyrene started. "Goodness,
Gabrielle. You startled me." She laughed, but peered
intently at her. "You look much better now. Did you have a
nice swim?" Her eyes twinkled.

Gabrielle returned the grin. "Yeah."
She hefted the sack. "Where do you want this?"

"On that table, dear." Cyrene
chuckled. She followed the bard into the kitchen area, and
watched, amused, as Gabrielle selected a knife from her
collection and started slicing the vegetables in the sack.
"So, you were starting to tell me a story about that giant
yesterday."

"Right." Gabrielle picked up the
tale, not missing a beat with her knife.

Xena came in and joined them for lunch, along
with a muddy Toris, who had been fishing. A number of her
quarterstaff class also came in, having finished in the fields
for the day. Toris was busy bragging about his fishing catch to
Xena, who was listening with a patiently bemused expression. Two
of the villagers had seated themselves at the table next to where
Gabrielle was sitting, and were shyly asking her about a
particular story theyd heard in another village.

"Oh, that." The bard finished
swallowing and said. "Well, thats sort of how it
happened." She related the story between bites of stew and
bread.

They cleared the yard after lunch, and her
class assembled, grinning when they saw not only their teacher,
but Gabrielle warming up. Nudges were passed among them, when a
smiling Xena stepped back, and motioned the bard to engage her,
and they put on a show for the circle of villagers.

"Wow." Toris murmured to one of his
cronies. "Shes pretty good."

Gabrielle felt her body settle into a
comfortable rhythm, as she became reacquainted with Xenas
quicksilver style after a month of working with the Amazons, and
felt the remembered sting of her rapid attack. Damn...
Id almost forgotten how good she is. The bard took a
settling breath. Remembering all over again who this was she was
facing. Knowing she could once again go full out without fear of
hurting her opponent, which was something she had to worry about
when she was facing Eponin. Which had been a very strange
feeling.

"You know, when I was working with
Eponin..." the bard commented to Xena, who was working her
through a series of attacks and parries. "the first time, it
threw me way off because shed try to slam me back.."

"Oh, like this?" Xena asked, and
lunged.

"Uh.." Smack. "Whoa."
Smack. "Yeah, like that. Anyway, shed try to do that,
and it was... like it was a kid doing it. I could hardly feel
it." Gabrielle finished, absorbing the powerful thrust,
feeling the shock jar her shoulders. "Ouch." A stinging
parry. "Wow... havent felt that in a while."

"Sorry." Xena apologized. "Let
me know if its getting too much for you." In a lower
voice. "We havent done this for a month."

"Dont apologize." Gabrielle
grinned, and came at her. "Ive missed this." And
went full out, giving her attack everything she had, and actually
driving Xena back a few paces. Seeing the delighted grin on the
warriors face, as she turned it on, and came back at her, walking
a delicate balancing act between giving the bard a challenge, and
letting her fighting instincts take control.

Back and forward they ranged, until Xena felt
in the response that Gabrielle was tiring, and they went through
a final flurry, then backed off, and accepted the applause from
the class. Xena waved them off with a roll of her eyes, then
walked over and grabbed a water skin, taking a long sip, then
padding over to where Gabrielle was standing, leaning on her
staff. "You all right?" Xena murmured, as she got
closer.

"Yeah." the bard answered, reaching
for the water. "Just catching my breath." She took a
pull on the skin and chuckled. "Amazons dont have
anything on you, my friend."

Xena snorted. "Uh huh. Take a break while
I get these guys moving."

"Nah... Im fine." the bard
protested.

The warrior studied her face, then her eyes
dropped to the pulse point at Gabrielles neck. One eyebrow
raised. "Sit down for a few minutes." Her voice was
quiet now, but held the note which Gabrielle recognized as Xena
meaning business.

"OK." she said. And walked over to
the wall, leaning against it and taking another sip of water. Her
heart was pounding a little harder than shed expected. Thats
what a month of not keeping up with this gets me. I think I see
her point. She watched as Xena started the lesson, bringing
the villagers forward first singly, then in pairs. Waited a few
minutes for her heart to settle, then hung the water skin up, and
trotted in to join the class.

Xena broke them up into two groups, and showed
Gabrielle what she was doing in the way of basics, and then they
just went at it.

Things went fine, and the class was almost
over, when the warrior noticed a flurry of activity to her right,
and realized that Gabrielle was squaring off against her brother.
She waved off her student, and turned around to watch, folding
her hands around her staff and leaning on it.

Toris competitive nature, akin to her
own, was escalating his bout from a thrust and parry class to a
full contest with Gabrielle, who, by the intent look on her face,
had realized this. She was deflecting his attacks, moving with a
solid sureness that brought a brief smile to Xenas watching
face.

Toris face was getting flushed, and his
movements wilder, as he began to lose control over what he was
doing. He tried to over power the smaller Gabrielle, but she
sidestepped his lunges, and started to take advantage of the
openings his lack of control was causing, and slipped in with
several stinging slaps. He swung viciously at her head, and she
caught his staff with her own, shoving him back off balance, to
his disbelief.

He collected himself, then slammed his staff
back into hers, and moved his stance to his left, swinging the
top of his staff up and towards her neck. Unexpectedly, Gabrielle
dropped to one knee, and with a backhand swing, took out his
knees, dumping him to the ground in a scattering of dust. Shaking
her fair head, she stood, and dusted her hands off, then picked
up her staff and headed in Xenas direction.

Toris temper snapped, and he lurched to
his feet, grabbing the his own staff up and swinging it towards
the back of Gabrielles head in a vicious arc.

Gabrielle had caught Xenas eyes as she
walked towards the warrior, and saw the sudden widening, and the
first hint of alarm as Xenas whole body surged into sudden
motion.

And she realized what it had to be, and
reacting on instinct, she whirled and raised her staff in a into
a defensive alignment that by pure luck caught Toris
descending blow and deflected it.

Felt her own temper snap, as she followed that
up by whipping her staff up with all the strength she possessed
and sent his own flying, then slammed into his chest with the end
of hers, and knocked him to the ground.

And knelt over him, the end of her staff
pinning him to the dirt.

"All right, class is over." Came
Xenas voice from behind her. She heard the shuffling
footsteps of the rest of the villagers leaving. Then silence.
Then felt a pair of warm hands on her shoulders. "Why
dont you go inside and get some water." That voice in
her ear, rumbling down her understanding. "I need to have a
little talk with my brother." A pause. "Gab?"

Then she was taking a deep breath, and letting
Xena pull her up and away from Toris. Facing her. "Let me
take care of this." She said, meeting Xenas level
gaze. "Its between me and him."

A long, long look of regard from those blue
eyes. "All right." Xena said finally. "Ill
be inside." She patted Gabrielles cheek, and turned
and walked towards the inn.

The bard watched her go, then crouched down
next to the still prone Toris. "Are you suicidal?" she
asked, almost conversationally. "You need to learn to
control your temper."

Toris stared at her. "What do you mean,
suicidal?" he asked, slowly sitting up. "I wasnt
going to... I mean...I didnt... oh Hades." He rubbed
his head. "I cant help it. I just lose track of what
Im doing, I get so mad."

"Toris." Gabrielle said, laying a
hand on his arm. "If I hadnt blocked that blow, you
would have hurt me." Catching his guilty look.
"Probably really badly. Youre very strong."

He dropped his head. Gabrielle reached over and
tugged his chin up so that he would have to meet her eyes.
"Toris, do you understand what would have happened
then?" She sent her voice deeper. "Thats not fair
to her, Toris. Not fair." A pause. "I wont have
that happen. You are not going to cause her that kind of pain,
Toris. Dont you ever do anything like that again."

Toris blinked at her. "I am sorry,
Gabrielle. It just gets to me, sometimes. Being third best in a
party of three." He looked down. "I have Lyceus
ghost, and the reality of my sister, and Im not sure which
is worse. "

And Gabrielle sat down, there in the dust, and
put a hand on his knee, and met those very familiar blue eyes in
this flawed mirror image of someone whose heart she knew, and
felt compassion for him. "Im sorry, Toris. I really
am." And patted his leg in comfort.

"You know, I used to hate my sister.
" Toris sighed. "Then I felt sorry for her." Now
he looked right into Gabrielles mist green eyes. "Now
I wish I was her." He glanced down. "Life is funny that
way."

"Nah." Gabrielle shrugged. "I
just do what I do." She brushed herself off, and started
towards the inn. Barely, in the shadows of the window, she
spotted a vague movement, and smiled inwardly. "And you owe
me yet another thank you."

Toris glanced at the inn, and scowled, but shot
her a rueful smile. "Yeah, I really think I do this time. I
saw her face before you stood up. You didnt. That wouda
hurt."

Xena nodded a little to herself, as she pulled
back from the window and dropped into a nearby chair. Looked up
at a scraping sound, to see Cyrene settling next to her and
pushing a mug towards her across the table.

"Here." Cyrene said, quietly.
"Looks like you could use this."

The warrior glanced inside the mug, and smiled.
"Ive always liked this stuff." She admitted, and
took a long sip.

"Johan asked me what I fed you as a child
to make you grow up so big and strong. Cyrene commented
wryly. "I told him you always drank lots of milk." She
chuckled. "I dont think he believed me."

The door to the inn opened, and Gabrielle
walked over to their table and sat down. "OK, all better
now." she remarked, as Xena gave her a raised eyebrow stare.
"Really." A quick grin. "He just has a bad case of
Warrior Princess envy."

Xena laughed. "Nice defense, by the way.
You heard him coming?" She took another long sip of milk,
studying the bards face.

Gabrielle shook her head. "Nope. Saw you
start to move." She leaned forward, resting her elbows on
her knees and rolled her head forward, then sighed.
"Im going to go change. This tunics full of
mud." She stood and plucked at Xenas blue sleeve.
"Not all of us can do a couple of hours of this without
raising a sweat, like some people I could name, but
wont." She winked at Cyrene, then threaded her way
through the tables to the front door and left.

Xena let her eyes follow the bard until she
disappeared, then returned her attention to her mug, and the
level gaze of her mother. She sighed inwardly. "I owe you an
apology, I think." she said, quietly.

Cyrene leaned forward, and studied her. "I
dont expect progress reports from you, Xena. Its your
life out there, and most of the time Im sure Id
rather not know what youre doing. It would scare me out of
good sense."

"But this was different." The warrior
acknowledged, glancing at her.

"This was different." Cyrene
confirmed. "I think your family deserved better than to hear
this from some wandering minstrel." Her voice displayed
tightly held anger.

Xena regarded her for a long moment. "For
a long time, my family would have greeted that news with a
cheer." Flatly.

Her mother took a breath. Not denying it.
"That was true." She answered, watching the flinch in
the blue eyes facing her. "But thats not true now. And
I think you know that."

"I know." Came the answer. "But
for a long time I didnt think I had a family. Then.. there
was Gabrielle. Now... I have you again." She steepled her
hands on the table and rested her fingers against her lips.
"Its been a tough adjustment." She played with
the mug idly, then looked up. "Im sorry. I just
didnt think." We wont mention I was a little
occupied right after that with angry and insane immortals and
gods. No. I think that would scare her out of good sense. "Youre
right. You deserve better."

Cyrene smiled. "Apology accepted."
She patted Xenas hand. "I hope there wont be a
next time, but if there is, please.."

Xena let a slow smile cross her face. "I
promised Gabrielle there wouldnt be a next time."

Her mothers eyebrows rose in a familiar
expression. "Thats a hard promise to keep." she
said, her face serious. What a thing to ask of someone who
spends their life in constant fighting. But maybe that bard knew
exactly what she was doing....

Xena nodded slowly. "More than you
know." Her lips twitched into a grin. "But I intend to
keep this one."

"Keep what?" Came Gabrielles
curious voice, as she slid back into the chair shed vacated
a short time ago.

"I was apologizing to mother." Xena
explained.

"Ah." the bard replied. She was about
to continue when the front door to the inn slammed open, and a
flustered villager stumbled in."Raiding party,
inbound." He blurted, glancing around and spotting Xena with
a look of profound relief. "Mounted, and they look like they
mean business."

Xena launched herself out the door and towards
the barn, hitting the door and catapulting herself over
Ares startled body. She could hear the approaching thunder
of hoofbeats, and didnt stop for armor, but grabbed her
sword from its sheath and turned back towards the door,
leaping over the confused puppy again, and heading for the
village road at a dead run.

It was disciplined chaos in front of the inn,
as her quarterstaff class assembled, nervous, but eager, moving
to defensive positions at Toris direction.

The first riders thundered in just as Xena had
crossed the open space in front of the inn, and she didnt
even slow down, but dug in hard and leaped for the lead rider,
taking him right off his horse and into the road, slamming an
elbow hard into his ribcage, and feeling the man go limp under
her.

Bounding up, and dodging a slashing blade,
returning the stroke with her own sword and seeing blood fly as
she connected. Reaching up and grabbing an arm of a third, and
yanking hard, pulling him down off his mount, and causing the
animal to slip in the soft dirt and come down as well.

Around her, she saw grim villagers making a
steady assault on the attackers, backing each other up, and
taking down a fair number of them. An instinctive glance found
Gabrielle, faced off against an unhorsed opponent, and having
little trouble with him. The bard disarmed the man, then whacked
him in the head with her staff, watching him slide to the ground
with a bemused expression.

Xena returned her attention to the task at
hand, now that most of the attackers were on foot, she went
through them like they were straw targets, alternating short arcs
of her sword with brutal kicks and the occasional punch. Always,
always keeping the bard in her peripheral vision, dividing her
awareness with a ease built on long practice.

Another short while, and the attackers were
retreating, dragging some of their wounded with them, but leaving
a score of dead comrades and several captured horses behind.

In the silence that followed their footsteps,
they all looked at each other. At Xena, standing legs braced next
to three dead attackers, sword drawn and red with blood. At the
scattering of unmoving forms.

Gabrielle broke the stillness, dusting her
hands off, and trotting over to where Xena was now crouching,
examining her erstwhile opponents. Saw the warrior touch a badge
sewn to the leather of one of them. Was close enough to see the
dark mask drop over the familiar features that meant trouble of
the worst kind.

"What is it?" The bard asked, as she
knelt at Xenas side, and grasped her arm.

Gabrielle took a long breath. "Huh."
she commented, then looked Xena over. "Any of that blood
yours?" First things first, her mind made order out of
panic. Make sure shes OK, then shell take care of the
rest.

"They didnt touch me." The
warrior reassured her. "Not even a nick." She cocked
her head at the bard. "You?"

"Nah." The bard scoffed. "Not
even close." She leaned forward. "But we chased them
off, right? So its OK?"

Xenas eyes met hers. And the bard felt a
long chill chase down her back. "Not OK." Came the
response. "I know this one. Hell take this as an
insult. Hell be back, with enough support to take this
village."

Slowly, she stood up, and gazed off into the
darkness, her only movement a shifting of her grip on her blood
stained weapon.

"Maybe we can reason with him."
Gabrielle suggested quietly. "Try a parley."

"No." Came the flat response.
"Not this time, Gabrielle." And Xena turned her gaze to
capture the bards. "Dont even think about
it.

Gabrielles brows creased. "You need
to tell me why not." she answered firmly, taking Xenas
arm, and tugging her towards the now empty road, out of the way
of the villagers removing the bodies around them. "What kind
of person is this who cant even be talked to? I dont
buy it, Xena."

Xena turned to face her, with an expressionless
look. "Youve seen me at my worst." She answered.
"Youve seen me kill people in anger, Gabrielle. In
anger, in revenge, in the grip of battle madness. You have,
havent you."

The warrior nodded. "Have you ever seen me
hurt anything because I thought it was funny?"

Gabrielles whole body started in
reaction. "Never." she said, her voice roughening with
intensity. "Never ever, and dont you ever say you did.
I know better."

"Do you? Are you that sure?" Xena
asked, staring at her.

The bard reached out and grabbed the front of
her tunic, and pulled her close. "Yes. Im that
sure." A pause. "Id lay my life on the line for
that."

Xena let a gentle smile play on her lips.
"Youd be right." Her face grew grim again.
"But this warlord, Benelen, he hurts things for fun,
Gabrielle. I once saw him cut the legs off a hound, one at a
time, because he thought it was funny to watch the animal try to
deal with it."

"Oh gods." Gabrielle paled.

"Yes. So I dont think well be
parleying with him. If you think Im letting him within a
mile of you, forget it." The warrior sighed. "Question
is, what are we going to do."

Gabrielle shuddered, still thinking of the poor
hound. "Youll think of something." she answered
absently, then realized what shed said, and looked up,
catching that familiar look that meant Xena was trying, once
again, to rise to the occasion despite very bad odds, because she
expected her to. "Well think of something." she
corrected herself, and was rewarded by a momentary flicker of
acknowledgment in those troubled eyes. "Come on." she
said, giving Xenas arm a gentle tug. "Wed better
tell them all whats going on."

A quiet meeting of the village leaders. Who
listened grimly to Xenas terse description of Benelen and
exchanged knowing nods. They had heard of him. She set extra
watchers around the village, and told everyone to get a good
nights rest. "Well see whats happening in
the morning." Was her last comment, in dismissing them.

"Im going to go change and wash
off." Xena remarked, as she passed Gabrielle heading towards
the door. "Grab something to eat while you have the
chance."

The bard nodded. "Coming back?" she
asked, raising an eyebrow. "You have to eat too."
Receiving no response. "OK then, Ill get something,
and bring it to you." With a knowing smile. Seeing the
unwilling glint of acknowledgment in her eyes. "See you in a
bit." Giving her a shove towards the door.

"Very." Gabrielle responded,
assembling a selection of meat and bread on a trencher.

"So, whats the plan?" The older
woman asked, picking up several pastries and tossing them on the
trencher. "Whats she going to do?"

Gabrielle stopped, and stared at her hands.
They were shaking. Her body knew what her mind was consciously
not allowing her to focus on . She looked up at Cyrene. "I
dont know yet." She admitted. "But Im going
to find out." But I do know...dont I? She
wont let me go, but shell go herself, wont she?
Alone?

The barn was very quiet when she got there, and
one glance inside told her that her fears were probably well
founded. A clean hay bale, with armor pieces precisely laid out
on it. Clean. Ready. Weapons beside them.

A rustling of straw drew her attention, and she
gazed across the darkened lanternlit room to where she could just
make out Xenas form, curled up in the straw with the puppy
Ares. "Hi." she forced herself to say calmly, walking
over and dropping to the straw next to the warrior. Who had
exchanged linen for leathers. And whose pale blue eyes stood out
in stark relief, catching the glints from the lanternlight.

"Hi." Xena responded, reading the
tension in the bards body. "Thanks." She stopped
rubbing the puppys belly and took a piece of bread and meat
from the trencher, biting into it and chewing slowly. Nodded
toward her. "You too."

Gabrielle took a piece of bread, and fiddled
with it, breaking off a piece and reluctantly putting it in her
mouth. Then she raised her eyes to meet Xenas.
"Dont." Was all she said.

"Never." Came the instant response.
Gabrielle moved the trencher aside, and slid closer, making
herself feel their connection. Knew Xena felt it too. "You
feel that?" she whispered. "Thats us." she
took a breath. "Im going to have to live the rest of
my life knowing that could disappear at any moment. That you
could." She reached up and touched Xenas jaw. Felt the
muscles clenched tight there. "Try to keep the odds in my
favor. Please?"

Xena studied her face, committing to memory the
shape of it. The exact shade of her eyes. The watery brightness
of unshed tears she was refusing to let fall. And once again
found that old wolf inside her tamed to puppyhood under
Gabrielles honest hands. "Lets see what tomorrow
brings." She finally answered, but knew it for a promise.

And so did Gabrielle, who settled into the
straw next to her, and they sat shoulder to shoulder, sharing the
trenchers contents and each others company, and
delighting Ares with tickles and table scraps.

The morning brought a messenger from Benelen,
who handed a scrap of parchment to an elder, and trotted back out
of the village without a word. The elder glanced at it, then
walked inside the inn and handed it to Xena in silence. Watched
as she scanned it several times, then let it drop on the table
she was seated at.

"Well." she sighed. "Nothing
like being direct."

Gabrielle picked up the parchment and read it.
"He cant spell." she commented. "Hes
not educated."

Xena glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Most of us arent, Gabrielle. We can't all be
bards."

"And just how much of my writing have you
seen to determine that?" Xena replied, with a wry grin.

Gabrielle glanced to the parchment, then up at
her. "Enough to know you never make that kind of mistake.
Even in different dialects." She studied the scrap "It
says here he wants 50 percent of everything in the village, or
hell attack again." She tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Why doesnt he just attack?"

Xena braced one booted foot on a nearby bench,
and rested her forearm on her leg. "Trying the easy way
first. He lost a score of men here last night." She
shrugged. "Id have done the same."

The bard tapped the edge of the parchment
against the table, and glanced up. "Maybe he can be talked
out of it, then." Watching the dangerous expression settle
into those blue eyes. Gearing herself up for a fight she knew she
had a very slim chance of winning. "Look, I know what you
said, but is there a better way? You said we cant hold them
off."

"No." Xena replied, low and angry.

"Yes." Gabrielle shot back, leaning
across the table, glancing around to where the other occupants of
the inn had wisely moved away from them, sensing the tension.
"Wheres the choice, Xena? We cant hold them off,
are you going to give them half the village?"

The bard felt her heart pumping hard, causing
her temples to pound in response. "No way, Xena. That
wont work. He knows you. Hes not going to negotiate
with you, since he knows all he has to do is wait for you to
leave, and take what he wants." Her eyes flashed. "He
doesnt know me. He wont know Im not from
here."

"What makes you think that?" Xena
countered, leaning forward herself. "Just how do people know
who I am when I dont tell them, Gabrielle?" Sharp and
biting.

Gabrielle snorted. "Just how many six foot
tall, black haired, blue eyed female fighters of your caliber do
you think there are running around Greece?"

"Uh huh." Xena growled. "And
just how many five and a half foot tall, fair haired, green eyed
bards who are known to be in my general vicinity do you suppose
there are? Who just happen to be hanging around my home
village?" She slapped the table with a resounding pop.
"You think youre invisible after two years?"

Gabrielle caught her breath, and remained
silent for a moment. Then: "Theres a chance he
wont. And Im the best choice you have for a
negotiator." She replied quietly. And knew it for the truth.
Saw that knowledge reflected back to her in Xenas long
stare.

Damn. The warrior cursed silently. Shes
right. "Listen." One last try. "I want
you to listen to me very carefully, Gabrielle. "

The bard remained silent, watching her face,
listening.

"One of his viable options, if he does
recognize you, will be to take you." Xenas voice was
steady. "Or even if he doesnt recognize you. Hes
that kind of man." she added.

"I realized that." Gabrielle replied.
"I have to talk him out of it."

Xena shook her head. "Thats not the
part I wanted you to listen to." She leaned forward, resting
her bracered forearms against her knees. "If he does that,
Gabrielle, talking isnt going to help." She raised her
eyes and met the bards. "If you do this, and I think
thats going to happen, Im not going to give him a
chance to do anything to you. Im going to unsheathe my
sword, and kick Argo into a gallop, and come in there after
you."

"Through his army." Gabrielle said,
barely breathing.

Xena nodded. "Think about that before you
consider risking your life. And his, and those soldiers. "
She paused. "And mine. Because theyre going to have to
kill me to stop me."

Gabrielle let her gaze drop, and she mirrored
Xenas posture, leaning forward and resting her elbows on
her knees. Holding her head in her hands and staring at the floor
for what seemed like a very long time. Then she raised her head
back up and took breath to speak.

Was stopped by a minute head shake from the
warrior. "You wont get me to promise that." Xena
said, with quiet sureness. "You never hesitate to offer your
life up, Gabrielle, and I admire you for that, but you asked me
last night to think twice about that kind of sacrifice. Now
Im asking you to." Already knowing what the answer
would be. What hers would be if the situation was reversed.
Feeling the nervous tension start to coil within her.

The bard studied her face intently. Reading...
everything. "I have to try." she finally whispered,
noting the lack of surprise in the eyes across from her.
"But Ill go mounted, and if he so much as twitches and
I dont like it, Ill get out of there, and trust you
to cover me."

And very slowly, Xena nodded in acceptance.
"All right." She replied. "We can try that."
Even when every protective instinct she had was screaming no.
"But if he even thinks about twitching..."

"I know. I will." Gabrielle
confirmed.

"And youll have an escort." The
warrior added, in a tone that said this was a non negotiable
item.

The escort was ready, not long after. Xena
studied them, a faint smile crossing her lips. One was Eldaran,
the best of her quarterstaff students. The other... was Toris.
Not her first choice, but hed cornered her in the kitchen,
and pressed his case. That he owed Gabrielle a favor. That he
could ride a horse and not fall off. That he could use a sword,
which was more than any of the other students could do. Xena
weighed his honest desire against his weaknesses, and decided he
would do all right. And, against all logic, it made her feel
better to have him going, since she couldnt.

Xena left them adjusting their saddles in the
courtyard, and pushed open the barn door, stepping over the
threshold and glancing inside. Spotting Gabrielle seated on a
haybale, idly stroking a half asleep Ares in her lap. She looked
up as Xena approached, and took a deep breath.

"Im ready." The bard said.
"Just saying.. uhm... playing with Ares for a minute."
She dropped her gaze to the puppy, who flipped over and stumbled
to the edge of the bale when he saw Xena come closer. "Looks
like he knows who his mommy is." She gave Xena a smile.

"Hmm." The warrior agreed, as she
allowed him to chew on her fingers. Her gaze came up and raked
the bard from head to foot. "Your escort's waiting."
she commented, reaching out and straightening the forest green
tunic Gabrielle was wearing, a donation from Cyrene, who said it
would at least make her blend in with the garb the escort was
wearing. The slightly oversized shirt was belted around her slim
waist, Xena noted, and depending from the belt was a very
familiar sheath. She reached out and touched the hilts, then
raised her eyes in question to Gabrielles.

"Yeah.. uhm.." The bard shrugged a
little. "It makes me feel better to have that... like
Im carrying a part of you around with me." She smiled
wanly. "I dont think I could use it but..."

"I dont think you could
either." Xena replied quietly. "But if you show that to
him, it might make him stop long enough for you to get out of
there." A cold glint came into her eyes. "Hell
remember the seal."

"Will he?" Gabrielle asked,
curiously. "Why?"

Xena picked up Ares and held him close,
delighting the puppy. "If he gets off his horse, youll
see he limps." She drawled, tickling the animal under the
chin. "I broke both his legs in three places for what he did
to that hound."

"Did you now." The bard replied, a
slow smile appearing. "Thats good to know." She
paused. "What happened to the hound after that?"

The warrior put Ares down, and sighed. "I
put him out of his torment." Her lips twitched. "Living
was agony for him, it wasnt life, really, just
torture." She looked up into Gabrielles uneasy glance.
"Its what I would have wanted, in his place."

Gabrielle nodded silently. Then she got up off
the haybale, and wrapped her arms around Xena, armor and all, and
just held on tight. And got a stranglehold in return, until she
loosened her hold, and felt Xena do the same, just enough for the
warrior to duck her head down and kiss her for a very long time.
Until they finally broke off, and she buried her face in
Xenas leathers, taking a moment to soak it all in. "If
that was supposed to reinforce your instructions for me to be
careful and come back, it worked." she muttered, both
feeling and hearing the surprised chuckle in response. "I
guess we gotta go now, huh?"

"Yeah." Xena replied, sliding an arm
around her shoulders, and guiding her towards the door, not
relinquishing her hold even when they stepped through the doorway
and into the courtyard. They walked across the open space, where
most of the village was assembled and finally stopped in front of
the sturdy chestnut mare Gabrielle would be riding.